The Two Joeys Make It A Cardiff Devils Delight Night

A Devil of a win – and Joey Haddad was the man with the biggest smile of all.

The Canadian sharpshooter converted two penalty shots to earn a dramatic 4-3 victory for Cardiff Devils at Ice Arena Wales.

Haddad was named star of the game and then left his team-mates to join fans, signing printed posters of himself for 45 minutes.

Devils were not at their best, but they scrapped, battled and did everything possible to earn a win which head coach Andrew Lord described as ‘greasy’.

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“We pulled it out in the end,” said head coach Andrew Lord. “Our start was great, the boys were going and on the forecheck. Then there were turnovers and a couple of odd man rushes. We picked up a couple of penalties.

“The second period was one of our worst in a long time, but I liked our resilience in the third. The guys didn’t let situation get to them and came out on top.

“There wasn’t a lot going on in the 3v3 overtime and when it came to the penalty shootout we started with Morissette, Asselin and Martin.

“We’ve been ticking along with Mo, Asselin and Marty and they’ve been unbelievable, but then I felt Pope and Haddad have moves I felt might work against the Blaze netminder. Pope almost scored and was denied by a great save and then Haddad went out.

“He was buzzing when I called him, particularly the second time. I’m glad we had Joey.”

Haddad’s double proved to be real winners.

Devils powerplay has clicked into top gear and Blaze failed to score in five spells with the extra skater, while Cardiff scored all three of their regulation time goals on the PP.

Matthew Myers, Jake Morissette and Joey Martin, with his 99th goal in all Elite League competitions, were the scorers for a Devils team who led 2-0 and 3-2 before being forced into overtime.

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Both teams had earned a point because they were level after regulation time, while a second point went to the winners.

Devils extended their winning League run to 10 matches after overtime and penalties, winning 3-2 in the shootout after the teams had taken eight shots each.

Referee Tom Pering found himself at the centre of two controversial moments. The first came when Haddad’s shot hit the bar and bounced in off netminder Ryan Nastiuk’s leg.

The goal was given, Blaze appealed and Pering allowed it after consulting off-ice officials.

Later, when Blaze Ryan Dingle player fanned over his attempted shot and then scored Pering had another big decision to make. That, too, was was awarded, but Devils earned the extra point when Haddad fired home.

Joey Martin scores against Blaze – the 99th goal for Devils in all Elite League competitions. Pic: Richard Murray.

That sparked celebrations among the 3,000-plus spectators and League leaders Devils now turn to their next challenge, against Blaze away at their Sky Dome home rink this evening (7.30pm).

Match stats:

Devils: Matthew Myers 1+0, Jake Morissette 1+1, Joey Martin 1+1, Gleason Fournier 0+2, Andrew Hotham 0+1, Sean Bentivoglio 0+1.

Blaze: Ben Lake 1+1, Gaelan Patterson 0+1, Ryan Dingle 1+0, Brett Robinson 1+0, Kevin Nastiuk 0+1.

Penalty shootout: Devils, goals by Joey Haddad (2), Jake Morissette; Blaze, goals by Ryan Dingle (2). Devils won shootout 3-2, eight penalties each taken.

Period scores (Devils first): 2-1; 0-1 (2-2); 1-1 (3-3); 0-0 (3-3).

Shots on goal: Devils (on Nastiuk) 9+11+8+1=29; Blaze (on Bowns) 8+7+5+3=23.

Penalties in minutes: Devils 4+2+6+2=14; Blaze 6+2+2+0.

Powerplays: Devils 3/4; Blaze 0/5.

Stars of the game: Devils, Joey Haddad; Blaze, Ryan Dingle.

Referee: Tom Pering.

Attendance: 3,095

Cardiff Devils remaining fixtures during December:

Wednesday 27 v Coventry Blaze (away, 7.30pm)

Saturday 30 v MK Lightning (home, 7pm)

Tickets for Cardiff’s home fixture against Milton Keynes Lightning this Saturday (7pm) are available and ticket information can be obtained via ONLINE HERE

To be redirected to the full fixtures list CLICK HERE